Baptism In The Holy Spirit

[daugher-of-Mary]

I just got back from a Life in the Spirit seminar that my friends talked me into, and something called "baptism in the Holy Spirit" was brought up a lot. Could someone explain what this is? Does it have the approval of the Church?

[Sinner]

I believe it is mostly a protestant term that is used by charismatic Catholics. I feel it is an ambiguous and potentially dangerous term as Catholicism already uses the word "Baptism" as an official Sacramental term. Hence, the tendency for folks to become confused as you are. According to many charismatics the "Baptism in the Spirit" is not a sacrament but revitalises and makes real the graces received in the sacraments of initiation, namely baptism and confirmation.

[url="http://www.theuniversityconcourse.com/VI,1,10-3-2000/st/Johnston.htm"]http://www.theuniversityconcourse.com/VI,1...st/Johnston.htm[/url]

[DominaNostra]

This term was taken from the Protestant Heresy. The central heresy in this term is that Baptism (the Sacrament, or "Baptism of water") which they claim is symbolic, is a different thing in essence from "Baptism in the Spirit" which is the actual Baptism of the Holy Ghost. This is heretical and denies Scripture, Church teaching, Tradition, and everything else. Baptism is by water and the Holy Ghost. Saint John the Baptist baptized by water only but Our Lord and the Apostles baptized in water and the Holy Ghost: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven." (St. John iii.5) "John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier that I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (St. Luke iii.16). Whether or not those who use this term adhere to the heresy is unclear, but some at least surely do, "Catholics" included. That is the wrong road to go down if you are looking for true Catholicism. Charismatic "Catholics" are certainly not orthodox and, depending what they actually believe, may not even be Catholic at all. God bless.

[Mary's Knight, La]

be careful reading DominaNostra's post,

When you hear "baptism in the Spirit" from a catholic you may usually safely hear/read that as "immersion" in the Spirit. When properly understood is indeed not a sacrament at all, but rather is an experience of grace. Typically it involves asking the Holy Spirit to come upon you and in a sense energize the gifts imparted to you in baptism. It's very important to remember you received these gifts at baptism, but in this case you are asking God to make these gifts manifest so that they may be used in your Christian walk to glorify Him.

I do think Domina is wrong to say Charismatic catholics aren't orthodox as I know some very devout catholics who follow all rules and disciplinary practices of the church, at least they follow all the ones I know about, who are "charismatic" though they can sometimes be scarey if you aren't used to them. I don't have the time to give all of this a proper reply but I hope that helps.

also I have not heard the church condemning(sp?) it, my bishop, till he was reassigned, firmly supported "Charismatic" catholics and nobody i know, including the wonderful old ladies who still wear chapel veils, called him unorthodox.